Nighty Night Natalie

Monday 11/7

"Are you sleepy, Natalie?" Christine taunts. "Where's your pillow?" Lisa comments. "She might be sleepwalking," said Miranda. Their laughter filled the hallway as they adjusted their perfectly curled hair.

The dismissal bell rang and I saw scruffy blonde hair ahead. I chase after him. "Hey, Ron." "Oh hey, Nat." "How'd your Bio exam go?" I ask curiously. "Badly. I had no idea what any of it was." I gave a concerned expression towards his reply. "See you at lunch!" I said. "See you later."

I enter Chemistry seeing Glenys' shiny, black hair and vibrant green eyes. After about five minutes, Mr. Bouermann began mixing colorful liquids. I fell asleep.

When asleep, I remember clearly dreaming about my 13 year old brother, Alex who has tuberculosis and is in the hospital. Mom, Glenys, and I entered the room very uncertain of the news coming to us. The doctor told my mom that he wasn't getting better. Then, a tear rolled down my mom's face as she gently hugged Alex and whispered in his ear, "I love you and so does your father."

I was awakened by Glenys violently shaking me and yelling. "Natalie!" she shouted as the noisy students escaped the class. I immediately snatched my books and left.

I rushed to Mrs. Reed's class and arrived in time. Mrs. Reed sent us to lunch early. Glenys, Ron, Matt, a friend of Ron's, and I met at our usual back table to eat some grub. We soon saw this new kid looking at the tables not knowing where to go. Ron gave a small hand gesture for him to sit with us. He plopped down in between Ron and I. Matt asked, "Eh, what's your name?" "Jonah," he replied. "Nice band shirt," Ron commented. Nice face, I thought. Jonah had straight brown hair and warm brown eyes. He was wearing a Three Days Grace t-shirt. Impressive. "You like Three Days Grace?" "They're my favorite band," Matt and Ron responded in unison. They both looked at each other in disbelief that they both said that. We all laughed. Then, the 'Bitch Squad' as Glenys calls them, visited our table.

"Look here, the tables of Misfits," Lisa snickers as they giggle.

"Who the f*ck do you think you are?"

"Wow. The new kid actually spoke up."

"F*ck off," Glenys says as confident as ever.

"Just remember her nap schedule!"

"What was that about?" Jonah says. The rest of my friends look nervously in other directions trying to come up with a response. I speak up and say, "They tease me because I have a condition called narcolepsy where I cannot control when I sleep and fall asleep randomly." "I'm so sorry," Jonah replies. Then, we are sent back to class.

On our way back to class, Glenys and I chatted. "So, what do you think about the new kid?" I respond with, "I think I like him." "I thought so," she replied. Mrs. Reed started rambling about the vast world of literature and how you can learn so much from it. I kind of zoned out and thought about Jonah.

After a few classes, Ron, Glenys, and I met at the crowded bus stop and went home. I began my homework as mom burst through the door with several grocery bags in her hand. She told me to retrieve the rest of them from her minivan. I grunted impolitely and obeyed.

I finished my homework and before going to bed I kiss a picture of Alex, my father and I on Fourth of July two years ago.

Tuesday 11/8

I step off the bus and meet Matt, Ron, Glenys, and Jonah at the front of Baxter High. I forgot Glenys's 16th birthday is in a week. I need to plan the surprise party, the invitations, and decorations. Crud.

In Chemistry, there were loud booms outside of our classroom. We heard screaming and the collapse of a body. My teacher mouthed CODE RED. We all quietly gathered in the corner of the classroom. One girl was crying. It was nerve wracking. My heart was pounding fast as I thought about Glenys, Ron, Jonah and Matt. I was in the farthest corner of the room, which I was very thankful for. The gunman kicked the door down. He pointed his gun at the girl crying softly and shot. I tell my mother, brother, and father I love them in my mind. I worry about never being able to see them again. I think about all the wonderful memories with friends and family.